Founded in 2002, the Society encourages the creation of watercolor at all skill levels and promotes interest, appreciation and enjoyment of watercolor and watermedia. Please feel free to attend one of our meetings. Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, at 10 a.m. at the Cincinnati Art Club, 1021 Parkside Place, Cincinnati, Ohio, unless otherwise noted.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Claudia Taylor, Program Chair, introduced our own Deb Ward.
She has held many positions in the GCWS, including President, and at this time,
is responsible for our Blog.

Back by popular demand, Deb agreed to give the Program and
critique members’ paintings. Before Deb started, Claudia gave us just a partial
list of Deb’s experiences and accomplishments. Deb started painting watercolors
in 1995. She started teaching in 2004. She holds weekly classes in her home (in
God’s country), and sometimes in other places.

Deb points out composition placement in "Blueberries and Pears"

Deb talks about her award winning painting "Silver Harvest"

Deb has won many awards, including National Shows. She is a
Signature Member of OH, GA, PA, and IN Watercolor Societies; has had paintings
in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and national magazines. Deb brought in some
of the books and magazines in which her paintings are shown, and also a display
of her beautiful greeting cards. She has a painting in the Ohio Watercolor Society’s
Show in Columbus at the Riffe Center, opening October 27, 2016.

Many members brought in one or two paintings, either
finished, or almost finished, so that Deb - drawing on her experience as an
instructor and nationally recognized and published artist - could guide us on
ways to improve our paintings.

There was some amazing work brought in. Members truly
enjoyed seeing what other people are painting. Some excellent suggestions were
given - most by Deb, but sometimes from the “audience” also.

Each painting was talked about as it was placed "under the mirror" - audience participation was welcomed.

With use of a plastic sheet and water soluble crayons, Deb made changes to help
enhance the paintings brought in for critique.

Some of the
specific suggestions:

- Use more
“color” in your shadows - they are not always gray, or blue. Remember to show
the light source.

- Add a bit of
color in your reflections.

- Don’t empty
your “dirty” water too soon; it might be just the perfect color that is needed
to tone down something.

- Be sure your
shadows are dark enough.

- Don’t be
afraid to “scratch out” with an Xacto knife.

- Use a piece
of plastic to lay over your painting, and use a crayon, etc. to try out a
different color or a darker value, etc. without messing with the painting
itself.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

President Kathy Lang called the meeting to order. A new
member was introduced - Robert (Bob) Thornburgh. Bob is new to the area and
found us on our Blog. He used to paint and teach; has not been doing much of
that lately, but is very interested in becoming involved again in the Art
world. We were able to see a bit of Bob’s talent during the Program part of the
meeting, and it is considerable.

There were a few people who stayed after the meeting for
Open Studio. Everyone is invited to participate in this activity each month.

Announcements: Judy Reed — Queen City Art Club has an
Exhibit at the Sharonville Fine Arts Center, on Reading Road, with Opening
Reception on Sat., Oct. 8, and continues through October 29. Judy and Dot
Burdin have paintings in the exhibit. Jo Hogan told of an Exhibit in Finneytown
at the Centennial Barn on Nov. 11 and 12. Nancy Wisely - The Women’s Art Club
Exhibit at the Barn, Mariemont on Friday, Oct 8. Deb told us Carolyn Hibbard is to have a
heart operation. We wish her the very best.

Workshop News - Dianna Duncan has been hard at work helping
attendees be ready for the October Workshop with Guy Magellanes, who is flying
in from the West Coast. She held a mini workshop to help us prepare our canvas.
All members who are coming to the Workshop need to have their canvas ready
before the Workshop starts. Flyers were given out to those who will do their
prep work at home.

Carol Fencl, Treasurer, sent word that we have sufficient
money in our Treasury.

The Leadership Team will have a meeting after today’s
Program in order to discuss the Budget for next year and the Team for next
year. Kathy asked all members to consider running for an office - particularly,
Secretary, as Joyce Grothaus - Secretary for three years, will step down next
year. GCWS will also need some members to step up and take Leadership roles for
specific Activities and Programs. We will also need people to “help” the
Leaders. If everyone does “something”, someone will not have to do “everything”.

Diana Marra will have a Solo Exhibit at Evendale Cultural Arts Center, Opening Friday March 2 from 6-8. The Exhibit is called "A Taste of Asia" and will of course have Sake and Sushi in addition to the usual wine-and-cheese Opening fare. Exhibit is also open 12-4 on Sat. and Sunday March 3 & 4. Diana will offer a mini-workshop - "A Taste" - on Wed. March 14, 6:30-8, cost $20 / all materials provided in 3 versions of oriental-style painting. For more information contact Diana.

Diana Marra will also have an opening at Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. 4th Street, Cincinnati "Flowers Everywhere" Thursday March 1 from 5:30-8 p.m. and will have a painting in the Cincinnati Art Club Associates Show at Parkside Place where we meet for GCWS, Friday March 2 6-9.